Look'n good Will , I've carved plenty of cypress and have found that it varies heaps depending on the species.
Carved a piece out of Italian blue cypress recently which was great stuff but I might give Tom's theory a crack.

I don't know what kind of cypress this could be.
So far I like it.
It is starting to crack all ready.
I cover it to keep it out of the sun.
I don't want it to crack till I'm done.
Sure got a lot of wood here.

I Figure this tree was cut down
in the first 2 wks of March.
It couldn't have been fresher.
It still takes sharp tools.
Specially as I get down to the details.
If not the wood just crushes,crumbles & breaks.